Piaget is often compared to Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934). Both proposed the classical constructivist theories of cognitive development. Both believed that social contributions set the limits of a child’s development. Apart from these similarities, the two theorists differ significantly. It is argued that the Piagetian approach undervalued the social contribution to an infant’s cognitive development while the Vygotskian theory offers a more exact and thorough analysis (van Geert, 1998).
Vygotsky developed the Social Development Theory. The theory states community and culture determine the strategies used to learn. This contradicts Piaget’s view of universal stages and content of development. There is a considerably larger emphasis put on how much social factors influence cognitive development. Piaget is criticized for underestimating this in the Stages of Cognitive Development Theory (simplepsychology.org).
Vygotsky believed social learning comes before development. In his theory he does not use ‘stages’ like Piaget. Instead he speaks about continuous development. For Vygotsky social interaction is the most important factor in a child’s development. He places a larger and different emphasis on the role of language in cognitive development. For example, when a child hears language she imitates it until it becomes internalized and is used in her mind as internal speech. Piaget is again criticized for underestimating this (scribd.com).
Click for definition of Zone of Proximal Development
Like Piaget, Vygotsky said that from birth infants have the basic materials for intellectual development. Piaget focuses on sensory abilities and motor reflexes, while Vygotsky refers to Elementary Mental Functions– Attention, Sensation, Perception and Memory.
Like Piaget, Vygotsky believed children have curious minds, they enjoy learning and discovering new things. Therefore, they play an active role in their own learning and understand of new things. However, while Piaget emphasized self-initiated discovery Vygotsky placed more emphasis on social contributions to the process of development (mrshollensbe.wikispaces.com).
Vygotsky developed the Social Development Theory. The theory states community and culture determine the strategies used to learn. This contradicts Piaget’s view of universal stages and content of development. There is a considerably larger emphasis put on how much social factors influence cognitive development. Piaget is criticized for underestimating this in the Stages of Cognitive Development Theory (simplepsychology.org).
Vygotsky believed social learning comes before development. In his theory he does not use ‘stages’ like Piaget. Instead he speaks about continuous development. For Vygotsky social interaction is the most important factor in a child’s development. He places a larger and different emphasis on the role of language in cognitive development. For example, when a child hears language she imitates it until it becomes internalized and is used in her mind as internal speech. Piaget is again criticized for underestimating this (scribd.com).
Like Piaget, Vygotsky said that from birth infants have the basic materials for intellectual development. Piaget focuses on sensory abilities and motor reflexes, while Vygotsky refers to Elementary Mental Functions– Attention, Sensation, Perception and Memory.Like Piaget, Vygotsky believed children have curious minds, they enjoy learning and discovering new things. Therefore, they play an active role in their own learning and understand of new things. However, while Piaget emphasized self-initiated discovery Vygotsky placed more emphasis on social contributions to the process of development (mrshollensbe.wikispaces.com).